A new Sri Lanka
One year after the conflict with the Tamil Tigers ended, we speak to Mahinda Rajapaksa.
One year ago, Sri Lanka ended its battle against the Tamil Tigers after almost 30 years of fighting.
The government has promised a new era of national reconciliation and unity and is banking on economic growth to overcome the legacy of decades of bloody conflict.
But Sri Lanka is still feeling the effects of the war. Over 80,000 internally displaced people remain in government-run camps. While others that return home are struggling to restore their livelihoods.
Critics say that unless grievances for the minority Tamils are addressed, Sri Lanka may lose its fragile peace.
On this edition of 101 East we speak with Mahinda Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka’s president, in his first international interview since the end of the conflict, about the future of Sri Lanka.
This 101 East episode airs from Thursday, May 27, 2010 at the following times GMT: Thursday: 1230; Friday: 0300; Saturday: 0530, 1730; Sunday: 1130; Monday: 1630; Tuesday: 1430; Wednesday: 0830; Thursday: 0630.